The NFL schedule-makers played a joke on all those who cracked wise about the predictability of Giants at Cowboys for the primetime season-opener.

Instead of putting the annual matchup at AT&T Stadium in Week 1 — as it had been for the past three years and four of the last five — the NFL bumped it all the way to ... Week 2. And kept it on Sunday Night Football.

"I’ve played in a lot of those buildings in Dallas, Philly, Washington," Giants quarterback Eli Manning said. "It’s about being in the division, and you got to win those divisional games."

Both teams enter the game off losses — the Giants to the Jaguars and the Cowboys to the Panthers — so there is urgency to avoid the 0-2 start that can be a death sentence for playoff hopes.

"It is a big game," Giants receiver Odell Beckham said. "It’s Sunday night. It’s the Cowboys. It’s Jerry’s World, all that, but it’s like (telling yourself) you’ve been there before. You’ve played against them a few times. Not to say that it’s going to be any different. I just think you got to watch your emotions."

Here are NJ Advance Media's staff predictions for the game, as well as what others around the nation are picking:

However, as a group, the Giants’ offense should be more effective against a Cowboys defense that lacks the talent in the secondary that Manning faced Week 1 against the Jaguars. Call it a hunch, but I think the offense is in for a big performance in a statement game against the division rivals.

The pick: Giants 34, Cowboys 23

Ryan Dunleavy, NJ Advance Media

It's now 33 regular-season games and counting since the Giants have scored 30 points. But beating the Cowboys won't require that streak to stop.

I don't understand what the Cowboys did this offeason. You lose the No. 1 (Jason Witten) and No. 3 (Dez Bryant) all-time leaders in receptions in the illustrious history of the franchise, and you bring in ... Allen Hurns?

It is unwise to make sweeping generalizations from one week in the NFL season, but the Cowboys certainly didn’t look like a playoff team in a 16-8 loss to Carolina to open the season. Dak Prescott is the one under fire, but the real blame should be on Jerry Jones for this sub-par collection of weapons.

Only 10 of 83 teams since 2007 have made the playoffs after starting 0-2, and this time, it’ll be the Cowboys facing those odds. (And yes, the Giants’ score prediction actually starts with a “3” this week.)

The pick: Giants 31, Cowboys 28

Zack Rosenblatt, NJ Advance Media

In a battle of the NFC East’s worst teams, the Giants have the clear talent edge and Saquon Barkley should have a little more room to work this week than he did in Week 1. NFC East games are rarely blowouts, and this one should be close. But the Cowboys might be very bad this season. Is Eli Manning better than Dak Prescott?